PRICE SPOOK

STAR'S PLEA

Claire pictured with her second husband, Tom, her son Cameron and their daughter Ava

Claire added: “It’s hard to put into words the depths of my grief at losing both of them within seven months of each other.

“Getting out of bed each morning took every ounce of strength I could muster.”

Shockingly, three years later, Cameron, now 12, was diagnosed with a similar valve problem to dad – meaning he may also need surgery one day.

Claire added: “It’s so tough but I’m determined to keep my boy fit and healthy to make sure he stays well. We’ve already lost so much.”

What are the new checks and where can you get them?

Millions of people will be offered simple checks at GPs surgeries and pharmacies, as part of an NHS England drive to cut heart disease deaths.

The NHS hopes that new screenings for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and atrial fibrillation will prevent heart attacks and strokes.

Blood pressure machines will be available in waiting rooms and pharmacies will offer free pin-prick blood tests for cholesterol.

People found to have the conditions will be offered medication and advice how they can change their lifestyle to reduce risks.

The scheme has been been rolled out in 84 of the 209 clinical commissioning groups in England so far and it should be available nationwide within two years.

Claire is now married to an old school friend, named Tom, and the pair have a four-year-old daughter together called Ava.

Tom understands Claire’s grief – as he lost a daughter when she was just seven weeks old due to an issue with her brain stem.

Claire added: “I’d urge every adult to take up the offer of the new heart checks, I hope the next step is having all new-borns routinely scanned for any heart deficiencies too.

“We need to save families from heartache wherever we can.”

We previously reported that overweight people are at greater risk of heart disease even if tests show they are healthy and experts claim that heart attacks and strokes in Type 2 diabetes sufferers could be prevented with two aspirins a day.

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